Kitsap County issued the following announcement on Dec. 23.
Brownsville Highway NE remains closed between both ends of South Keyport Road. Heavy rains produced additional flow and pressure that caused leaks in a sewer pipe north of the Central Kitsap Treatment Plant. County crews repaired the pipe, but the road remains closed.
"Heavy rain over the past week combined with the leaking pipe to undermine material under the roadway," according to Joe Rutan, Assistant Director. Flows from the leaking pipe were controlled by utility crews to limit the impact. About 12,000 gallons spilled west of the roadway into a natural vegetated area. County staff cleaned the area.
"The pipe on that line is over 40 years old making maintenance challenging," says Stella Vakarcs, Senior Program Manager for the sewer utility. "We maintain the pipe as best as possible to stay ahead of issues, but heavy rainfall puts added stress on old pipes," Vakarcs said.
That section of pipe is scheduled for replacement. "That work is part of the larger Bangor/Keyport Forcemain Replacement project currently in design," added Vakarcs. You can find more information about the project at https://kitsap-county-projects-pages-kitcowa.hub.arcgis.com/.
The County is exploring options to temporarily stabilize soils around the pipe to prevent further breaks until the pipe can be replaced. The road remains closed until those repairs are made. More information about the length of the closure is expected as the stabilization work continues.
Original source can be found here.
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